Bryce Harper's explanation for his ejection

A candid Bryce Harper addressed the media after tonight's 3-2 win to discuss his third inning ejection by home plate umpire Marvin Hudson:

"I feel like he (umpire Marvin Hudson) was more mad at Matt (Williams) than he was me. I was just standing there. He called the strike and I didn't care really. I just looked off and put my head over. I looked at the floor and was like, 'That was a little down, don't you think?' He told me to get in the box and I was already in the box. Then I was standing there looking at the pitcher. He took his mask off to talk to Matt and so I stepped out. I didn't need to be in the box while he was chirping at Matt.

"Then they were going at it. He told me to get my butt in the box. I was like, 'Well, you're still chirping at my manager, so let me take a minute.' He told me to put my foot in the box and I said, 'I'll take the fine.' It's not a priority for us to get in the box unless we really need to. I was just taking my time and once I put my foot back in the box. I said, 'This is where I was,' he rung me. He tossed me.

"I don't think 40,000 people came to watch him ump tonight. Plain and simple. Plain and simple. I really don't think they did. Especially when we're playing the Yankees. The Yankees are a good team, we're a good team and we're rolling. I don't want to get tossed. There's no reason for me to get tossed in that situation. I don't think I did anything bad to get tossed. Maybe he just had a bad morning or he didn't get his coffee."

On why Harper thought he was ejected:

"I'm really not sure. I have no idea. I think the whole thing was me not getting into the box. I really do. I didn't look at him one time to show him up. I didn't look at him once, if you look at the video. I came back, like did I do something? Did I do something to really show him up or say something or anything? I was just wondering. After the fact, I said some stuff, but before I didn't. I was in the box. That's the biggest thing, I was in the box and I was ready to go. I'm really not sure. I couldn't tell you. I have no clue. I just want to play. I just want to stay in the game right there."